Malik Willis: A Potential Sleeper
This season, Malik Willis hasn't provided much reason for fantasy managers to trust him. However, analyst Kyle Soppe suggests that this might change in Week 7. The Miami Dolphins quarterback has struggled, but with a Week 6 bye under his belt, he’s gearing up to face the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Willis's statistics reveal why he's considered a sleeper option. So far this year, he has completed only 56.2% of his passes for 849 yards, with two touchdowns and four interceptions over five games, which places him at the bottom of the quarterback rankings. A total of 14 sacks taken doesn't help his cause either, leaving him 29th in PPR points among quarterbacks.
Despite these numbers, Soppe believes that extra prep time from the bye week could prove beneficial. He noted that Willis started the season strong, ranking sixth in yards per attempt during his first two games. “It's kind of like a game script to open a game,” Soppe remarked, indicating that a solid start often doesn’t carry through the entire match.
Moreover, Willis brings value with his mobility. In recent games, he has exceeded 5.5 rushing fantasy points in three of his last five appearances, accumulating 186 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 27 attempts this season. Soppe also highlights his deep passing, with an average of 10.7 intended air yards, the highest among qualified quarterbacks.
Woody Marks: The RB2 Breakout
Meanwhile, Woody Marks of the Houston Texans could emerge as a viable RB2 option against the New York Giants. With several key players sidelined, including Jawhar Jordan and Montgomery, Marks is primed to take the lead in the backfield.
In Houston’s victory over Jacksonville in Week 6, Marks recorded 15 carries for 56 yards. Soppe believes that with C.J. Stroud's impressive performance in the same game, defenses may be less inclined to stack the box against Marks.
Although Marks has struggled with efficiency—averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and ranking low in expected rushing yards—Soppe remains optimistic due to upcoming volume and matchups. The Giants’ pre-contact rush defense is among the weakest in the league, setting Marks up for potential success. “If he’s running into space, you don’t have to think he’s that good to do that,” he explained.
Marks has also demonstrated consistency, having seen at least 15 carries and contributed in the passing game for the past two weeks, which could very well continue into this matchup, pushing him into a top-15 RB conversation.
Tyler Higbee: The Tight End to Trust
Finally, Tyler Higbee is another name to consider for Week 7. As the Rams head to face the Raiders, Soppe sees Higbee as a strong streaming option at the tight end position. With the Rams sitting at 2-4 and in need of a win, their passing game may thrive in this matchup against a struggling defense.
Throughout the season, Higbee has not set the league on fire but serves a crucial role in the Rams' offense, having accumulated 24 receptions and one touchdown this season. Soppe believes he has the potential to finish as a TE6 due to his expected usage compared to teammate Parkinson, who has less involvement.
With Davante Adams out and Puka Nacua dealing with injuries, the passing game could heavily rely on Higbee, especially with Matthew Stafford at the helm. Soppe emphasized, “Whoever is going to be on the field is going to benefit,” making Higbee a solid choice for fantasy managers looking beyond the elite tier of tight ends.